James Levine Out; Bob Dylan Cancels Asia Tour

James Levine out, Bob Dylan cancels, John Edwards book shopped for movie deal…

Levine Out for Season: Conductor James Levine will be sidelined for the rest of the Metropolitan Opera’s season. Levine will undergo surgery for back problems, and will miss performances of “Tosca” and “Lulu.” Fabio Luisi will fill in for the conductor who was once awarded the National Medal of Arts. [Los Angeles Times]

Bob Dylan’s Asia Tour Canceled: Bob Dylan’s East Asia tour ended before it started. The singer-songwriter was expected to kick off a tour with stops in Taiwan and South Korea among others, but canceled plans after being denied permission to perform in Beijing and Shanghai. Touring in China has become increasingly difficult for performers after singer Bjork interjected the word “Tibet” during a performance in Shanghai. [CBC]

John Edwards, The Movie?: The life of John Edwards may have a shot at coming to the big screen. There are reports circulating that Andrew Young’s book “The Politician” may be adapted into a film about the life of the former presidential candidate, and that Aaron Sorkin (“The West Wing”) could be interested. Sorkin’s representative didn’t immediately return a request for comment. [The Daily News]